Para swimmers compete at the Summer Paralympic Games and at other sports competitions throughout the world.
[1] Rules for the sport are adapted from those set forth by the International Swimming Federation (FINA).
At the Paralympics, World Championships and other elite level competitions, swimmers compete in an Olympic-size swimming pool.
Significant differences between able-bodied and para swimming include the starting position and adaptations allowed for visually impaired swimmers.
In events for the blind and visually impaired, people called "tappers" may stand at the end of the pool and use a pole to tap the swimmers when they approach the wall, indicating when the swimmer should turn or end the race.